Cawley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Irish families left their homeland in astonishing numbers during the 19th century in search of a better life. Although individual reasons vary, most of these Irish families suffered from extreme poverty, lack of work opportunities, and exorbitant rents in their homeland. Many decided to travel to Australia or North America in the hopes of finding greater opportunities and land. The Irish immigrants that came to North America initially settled on the East Coast, often in major centers such as Boston or New York. But like the many other cultures to settle in North America, the Irish traveled to almost any region they felt held greater promise; as a result, many Irish with gold fever moved all the way out to the Pacific coast. Others before that time left for land along the St. Lawrence River and the Niagara Peninsula, or the Maritimes as United Empire Loyalists, for many Irish did choose to side with the English during the American War of Independence. The earliest wave of Irish migration, however, occurred during the Great Potato Famine of the 1840s. An examination of early immigration and passenger lists has revealed many people bearing the Cawley name:

Cawley Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Will Cawley, who arrived in Virginia in 1661 4
• Robert Cawley, who landed in New England in 1662 4
• Hugh Cawley, who landed in Virginia in 1698 4

Cawley Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• John Cawley, aged 18, who arrived in New York in 1854 4

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Cawley Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• Miss. Ellen Cawley, aged 1 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Emigrant" departing 11th August 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 3rd October 1847 but she died on board 5
• Miss. Francis Cawley, aged 6 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Wolfyille" departing 25th April 1847 from Sligo, Ireland; the ship arrived on 10th June 1847 but she died on board 5
• Mr. John Cawley, aged 3 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Wolfyille" departing 25th April 1847 from Sligo, Ireland; the ship arrived on 10th June 1847 but he died on board 5

Cawley Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Henry Albion Benjamin Cawley, who arrived in Glenelg Roads aboard the ship "Pestonjee Bomanjee" in 1838 6
• Mr. Robert Cawley, (b. 1797), aged 46, English convict who was convicted in Taunton, Somerset, England for 10 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Cressy" on 28th April 1843, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 7

• Joseph Gaynor Cawley (1941-2021), American politician, Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives (1981-2006), and former professional baseball player
• James "Jim" Cawley (b. 1969), American politician, 32nd Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania, from 2011 to 2015
• Tucker Cawley, American three-time Emmy Award winning television comedy writer and producer
• Rex Cawley (b. 1940), American Olympic gold medalist hurdler at the 1964 Summer Olympics
• James Cawley (b. 1967), American actor, best known for his role as Captain James T. Kirk in the fan film series Star Trek: Phase II
• Charles M. Cawley (1941-2015), American businessman and founding member of the bank MBNA
• Alan Cawley (b. 1982), Irish former professional footballer who played from 1998 to 2011, member of the Republic of Ireland U17 National Team in 1999
• Richard Cawley (b. 1947), English food writer, chef and fashion designer
• Captain Harold Thomas Cawley (1878-1915), British barrister, Liberal Party politician and soldier killed in World War I, second son of Frederick Cawley, 1st Baron Cawley
• Frederick Cawley PC, JP (1850-1937), 1st Baron Cawley, British businessman and Liberal Party politician, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1916-1918)
• ... (Another 7 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)